History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 18 | Page 9

GOTTLEUBE Kirk, 1st
May."
In these Aussig affairs, especially in recapturing the Castle of Tetschen
near by, Colonel Mayer, father of the new "Free-Corps," did shining
service;--and was approved of, he and they. And, a day or two after,
was detached with a Fifteen Hundred of that kind, on more important
business: First, to pick up one or two Bohemian Magazines lying handy;
after which, to pay a visit to the Reich and its bluster about
Execution-Army, and teach certain persons who it is they are
thundering against in that awkwardly truculent manner! Errand
shiningly done by Mayer, as perhaps we may hear,--and certainly as all
the Newspapers loudly heard,--in the course of the next two months.
At crossing of the Eger, Friedrich's Column had some chasing of poor
D'Ahremberg; attempting to cut him off from his Bridges, Bridge of
Koschlitz, Bridge of Budin; but he made good despatch, Browne and
he; and, except a few prisoners of Ziethen's gathering, and most of his
Magazines unburnt, they did him no damage. The chase was close
enough; more than once, the Austrian head- quarter of to-night was that
of the Prussians to-morrow. Monday, May 2d, Friedrich's Column was
on the Weissenberg of Prag; Browne, D'Ahremberg, and Prince Karl,
who is now come up to take command, having hastily filed through the
City, leaving a fit garrison, the day before. Except his Magazines,
nothing the least essential went wrong with Browne; but Konigseck,

who had not a Friedrich on his heels,--Konigseck, trying more, as his
opportunities were more,--was not quite so lucky.
2. "Column SECOND, to the King's left, comes from the Lausitz under
Brunswick-Bevern,--18,000 foot, 5,000 horse. This is the Bevern who
so distinguished himself at Lobositz last year; and he is now to
culminate into a still brighter exploit,--the last of his very bright ones,
as it proved. Bevern set out from about Zittau (from Grottau, few miles
south of Zittau), the same day with Friedrich, that is April 20th;--and
had not well started till he came upon formidable obstacles. Came upon
General Konigseck, namely: a Konigseck manoeuvring ahead, in
superior force; a Maguire, Irish subordinate of Konigseck's, coming
from the right to cut off our baggage (against whom Bevern has to
detach); a Lacy, coming from the left;--or indeed, Konigseck and Lacy
in concert, intending to offer battle. Battle of Reichenberg, which
accordingly ensued, April 21st,"--of which, though it was very famous
for so small a Battle, there can be no account given here.
The short truth is, Konigseck falling back, Parthian-like, with a force of
30,000 or more, has in front of him nothing but Bevern; who, as he
issues from the Lausitz, and till he can unite with Schwerin farther
southward, is but some 20,000 odd: cannot Konigseck call halt, and bid
Bevern return, or do worse? Konigseck, a diligent enough soldier,
determines to try; chooses an excellent position,--at or round
Reichenberg, which is the first Bohemian Town, one march from Zittau
in the Lausitz, and then one from Liebenau, which latter would be
Bevern's SECOND Bohemian stage on the Prag road, if he continued
prosperous. Reichenberg, standing nestled among hills in the Neisse
Valley (one of those Four Neisses known to us, the Neisse where
Prince Karl got exploded, in that signal manner, Winter, 1745, by a
certain King), offers fine capabilities; which Konigseck has laid hold of.
There is especially one excellent Hollow (on the left or western bank of
Neisse River, that is, ACROSS from Reichenberg), backed by woody
hills, nothing but hills, brooks, woods all round; Hollow scooped out as
if for the purpose; and altogether of inviting character to Konigseck.
There, "Wednesday, April 20th," Konigseck posts himself, plants
batteries, fells abatis; plenty of cannon, of horse and foot, and, say all
soldiers, one of the best positions possible.
So that Bevern, approaching Reichenberg at evening, evening of his

first march, Wednesday, April 20th, finds his way barred; and that the
difficulties may be considerable. "Nothing to be made of it to-night,"
thinks Bevern; "but we must try to-morrow!" and has to take camp,
"with a marshy brook in front of him," some way on the hither side of
Reichenberg; and study overnight what method of unbarring there may
be. Thursday morning early, Bevern, having well reconnoitred and
studied, was at work unbarring. Bevern crossed his own marshy brook;
courageously assaulted Konigseck's position, left wing of Konigseck;
stormed the abatis, the batteries, plunged in upon Konigseck, man to
man, horse to horse, and after some fierce enough but brief dispute,
tumbled Konigseck out of the ground. Konigseck made some attempt
to rally; attempted twice, but in vain; had fairly to roll away, and at
length to run, leaving 1,000 dead upon the field, about 500 prisoners;
one or two guns, and I forget how many